http://www.oaoa.com/opinion/light-54009-red-cameras.html

Red light cameras not that effective

October 09, 2010 6:00 AM

THE POINT — What sounded like a good idea several years ago seems overdone these days.

Red light traffic cameras have been controversial from the start — criticized for “Big Brother” watchfulness and for being more effective at gathering revenue than making driving more safe.

Perhaps it’s time that trend ended.

These cameras snap digital pictures of cars allegedly running red lights. The image goes to a processor, usually a private company. The processor then sends a ticket, with a fine to be paid, to the registered owner of the offending vehicle. The city gets the fine, minus what the processor charges.

We don’t like the pervasive aspect of the cameras; we feel fortunate that Odessa rejected the thought of using such techniques early on.

But now there is an argument of no evidence that the cameras make the streets safer or reduce accidents.

A 2008 study by the University of South Florida College of Public Health found that the red-light cameras don’t enhance traffic safety, but instead, “they increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections,” according to the school’s website. “Comprehensive studies from North Carolina, Virginia and Ontario have all reported cameras are significantly associated with increases in crashes, as well as crashes involving injuries. The study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council also found that cameras were linked to increased crash costs.”

Although red light cameras can increase a city’s revenue, it’s obviously better not to increase traffic accidents. Moreover, a 2008 study in Dallas found that many red light cameras there didn’t raise enough revenue to justify the cost of operating them.

Some argue that future generations of these traffic systems could be improved to increase traffic safety without allowing them to be used primarily as a means to increase government revenue.

Motives vary in cities across the nation that have given red light cameras a shot. Some are still sold on the idea.

But in a lot of other places, they haven’t lived up to the promise in terms of safety.

Their time has come — and gone.

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